The Simpsons

[Dr. Shane]

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According to Aristotle, tragedy presents human beings as better than they really are, while comedy presents them as worse. We might want to imitate noble heros and heroines of a tragedy, but never the charachters in a comedy.

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Unlike many programs on TV, the Simpsons do not ignore the role religion should play in the everyday life of people.It does ridicule, make light of and sometimes become sacrilegeous.

The Simpsons use extreames to demonstrate absubity. Politically they "attack" ideas of both the left and right. Relgiously they portrait evangelical Ned Flanders as sincere, humble and kind, although annoying. The Simpsons pray before their meals which is uncommon in most TV shows, although Bart has prayed, "Dear God, we paid for all of this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing."

Rev. Lovejoy brings the show its dose of legalism. The good go to heaven and the bad burn in hell. His easter sermon is about chocolate bunnies rather than Christ crucified.

The Simpsons address some of the evils of society. Itchy & Scratchy is a critism of the state of children's TV. They use Mr. Burns to criticise ruthless capitalism. They use Lisa's idealism to make fun of radical liberalism. The show had an episode dealing with the presciption drug pronlem with Homer smuggeling some in from Canada. The twon's nuclear power plant has been used to adance environmental concern. They use the town's mayor to criticise womanizing.

Despite all of the silliness and sometimes sacrilege the show normally promotes the values of fidelity in marriage, love and forgiveness.

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[Bravus]

There wasn't really an answer there that suited what I really think, which is that as well as being funny it's of considerable redeeming moral value, and has probably the most sophisticated take on religion of anything on television.

[K]

I would not allow my children to watch the Simpsons when they were young. I told them that Bart was a smart alec and I didn't want them sounding like Bart. My brother would make fun of me because the few times we would be around him, I would make my girls leave the room when the Simpsons were on tv.

Many years down the road, I watch the Simpsons daily. My kids can't believe I watch it, and remind me of my prohibition.

It has some of the funniest things I've ever seen, and I appreciate the humor runs both left and right.

K

[Dr. Shane]

The Simpsons are celebrating their 15th season and 350th episode.

The sacrilege in the Simpsons does concern me. Their take on religion is strictly legalistic. Viewing it as an art of comedy is fine however most do not view comedy as an art and become wrongly influenced by it.

Christians should have higher standards for entertainment. If you haven't seen Lenny & Sid you ought to purchase one of their videos. They keep promising to come out with the next in the series but it has been delayed. I believe they are helping Focus On The Family with some video games or something.

On a Christian scale of one to ten (one being acceptable but extreamely lacking and ten being excellent) I would rate the Simpsons a two and Lenny & Sid an eight. Comparing the two is like night and day. The Simpsons is funny but will we sell our soul for a laugh? Being funny isn't enough. I have to evaluate my programming by other standards.

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[Bravus]

Just want to point out this this is about the third time you've done this, Shane: posted a question that asked us to say something about our tastes or ideas, let us do so, then come out and effectively said "You're wrong". I'm not even upset about it, just pointing out that, next question, I'm more likely to keep what I think to myself - and I suspect others might feel the same way. I can appreciate that you personally choose not to watch it, but you want a lot further than that in judging and condemning those who do.

[Jeannieb43]

Well, I have no alternative but to skip the poll. I think The Simpsons is a cute show but hardly ever watch it. Didn't even know it had any religious component at all....

[Neil D]

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Well, I have no alternative but to skip the poll. I think The Simpsons is a cute show but hardly ever watch it.

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I'm with you, Jeannie...only I don't think the show that cute...more gross and not as creative as some think...But to each his own.

In the 12 years I have seen this show advertised and seen the reruns during that pre-primetime slot, I have been disgusted with the ads that emphasis thier lack of respect, thier 'promoting' gross behaviors and the generalized lack of respect for anything. AS a result, I have not been interested in the program especially since it might have influenced my children's behavior growing up. They are now adults.

That said, I have seen a few programs and have been mildly surprised at their ability to attack social problems, all the while still maintaining thier lack of respect for society in general.

Perhaps I have assumed some premises that have colored my perception of the Simpsons. It is still not high on my priority list of TV watching, but if there is nothing else to watch, I MIGHT, repeat MIGHT watch it....generally, I would prefer to read a book though....

[Dr. Shane]

Bravus:

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Shane: posted a question that asked us to say something about our tastes or ideas, let us do so, then come out and effectively said "You're wrong"

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I don't think I said anyone was wrong. I certainly didn't try to. I did say, "Viewing it as an art of comedy is fine". I stated that "Christians should have higher standards for entertainment" and by that statement I was trying to say we shouldn't be sastisfied with this type of programming.

I can see how my following statement could be taken wrong: "The Simpsons is funny but will we sell our soul for a laugh? Being funny isn't enough." Taken in the context of my post, I wasn't saying one is selling their soul for the Simpsons. My point was that in evaluateing a program, how funny it is shouldn't be a means to measure how good the program is.

Since the program is celebrating its 15th season it is getting some publicity and I thought it would be good for us to have a discussion about it.

[Bravus]

OK, thanks man, and perhaps I did over-react. What you might be able to do in future is to state your opinion up front when you ask the question. I know you're trying to keep it open and avoid influencing the direction of the conversation, but as I noted, it felt a bit like a bait and switch - let us get vulnerable then come in strong.

Thanks again for taking the comment seriously and responding so maturely.